In order to mark the beginning of the year 2012 and to strengthen civil-military cooperation in the region, the Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) Lieutenant General Rainer Korff hosted the New Year’s Reception held on 17 January 2012.
Large numbers of participants
The New Year’s Reception was organised at the National Museum in Szczecin, which was decorated with the MNC NE symbols for this special day. More than 150 guests took part in the event, including the MNC NE staff closely cooperating with the Commander, representatives of the local and regional authorities, uniformed services, representatives of the world of business, culture and education, Honorary Consuls accredited to Szczecin as well as sympathizers, supporters and friends of the Multinational Corps Northeast. Also the winners of two invitations put on auctions by the MNC NE Commander during the “Christmas of your dreams” charity action and Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity participated in the event.
All of the guests were warmly and personally welcomed by Lieutenant General Korff and Mr Zbigniew Ligierko, the Dean of Honorary Consuls in Szczecin, who, along with other Honorary Consults of Szczecin, supported the organisation of the event.
Gratitude for hospitality
The Commander underlined the extraordinarily good relations and successful civil-military cooperation in his speech. “I am glad to say that the relations between our Headquarters and the local society have further developed over the year 2011. (...) It is a pleasure to see the increasing involvement of the Headquarters and its members, including their families, in the daily life of the local community,” said General Korff. “We, the MNC NE personnel, are happy and all of you can be proud of this multinational Headquarters which has already become an inherent part of the city,” the MNC NE Commander concluded wishing everybody success and further fruitful cooperation in 2012.
Guests take the floor
Also the Honorary Consul of Germany, Mr Bartłomiej Sochański, addressed all the gathered noticing that the Corps has been bringing substantial financial and immaterial benefits to the city over the years, including fantastic promotion of Szczecin. “Multinational Corps Northeast or precisely you – its soldiers – due to your daily presence in our city create positive and friendly perception of your nations,” said Mr Sochański, stressing the value of multicultural character of Szczecin. “Thank you for your kindness and friendship you offer to us,” he said.
“Particular recognition and thanks shall go to the Corps for openness and active participation in the life of our city and region,” added Mr Ryszard Mićko, the Vice Voivode of Westpomeranian Voivodeship who also thanked the soldiers for splendid service and wished them all the best in the year 2012.
The prayer and blessing given by the Archbishop Andrzej Dzięga at the beginning of the ceremony complemented the extraordinary New Year’s meeting. “General Korff inspires us and invites us to be people of good will,” the Archbishop said.
A highlight of the event was the moment when General Korff was awarded with the commemorative Medal of Siberian Deportees, handed over by Mr Zygmunt Rybicki, the Chairman of the Association of Siberian Deportees – Gryfino Branch.
Extraordinary event
Tasty refreshments, artistic performances by the Baltic Singers and Grycmacher Dance School contributed to an unforgettable character of the event in the exceptional scenery of the National Museum.
All in all, with a large number of civilian and military guests taking part in the event, organised as a token of steadily developing civil-military relations in the region, the New Year’s Reception for sure proved to be a worthwhile experience.
Photos and video by Marian Cihon, SVK CIV
